it's you i like

We are checking out at Target a couple days ago. I'm trying to keep AJ from falling out of the back of the cart and as usual I'm thinking of the next thing, which happens to be lunch. It may be an hour away, but it's that rush where I know that all events need to proceed in a timely and orderly fashion to get out of the store, get the bags in the car, get everyone buckled up, get home, and get food on the little plastic plates before everyone is literally screaming for food while at the same time melting. And that moment, when I'm lifting AJ out of the cart is when Hannah hits me with it:

"Why does God make bad people?"

And only by the grace of God I had (what I think was) the right answer. Here are the words God gave me to say:

God doesn't make bad people. God gives people a choice, and sometimes they make bad decisions.

And that was about it. Pretty simple, right? We talked a little more about it, I made sure she understood, and that was about it. She didn't bring it up again, but it weighed on me. What is the matter with people?

If you know me well, you probably know I am pretty fond of Mr. Rogers. When I was feeling really nostalgic last fall I found that eBay had some dvd's available of the old school Mister Rogers Neighborhood (which imo is far superior to Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood) and thought it might be fun to buy one and watch it with them. Was I surprised that they l.o.v.e. it? Not really (because Mister Rogers is cool). Am I surprised that they frequently choose to watch it without me suggesting it? Yes. And no (because Mister Rogers is cool).

I don't really remember much about Mr. Rogers from when I was a kid outside of him coming through the door and changing into one of his seriously cool cardigans and comfy shoes. I respect him and his show so much more now as a parent. His ability to talk to kids with a gentle voice, show them new things in a way that makes them imagine, or relate to others in a new way, and how he could talk to them about their feelings, in a way that children's shows won't can't  don't now.

Let's face it, I don't even want to watch the news much these days, and I'm not even all that fond of facebook anymore. It's so easy to get caught up in the bad or worry about things that don't matter. I was out on a run a couple of weeks ago and I was reminded what power is generated from smiling at someone (a complete stranger) and what immediately crossed my mind was "that's so much better than a facebook like."  Smiling comes out of habit, but how often do I deliberately smile at someone?

As I watched an old school episode of Mr. Rogers with my kids yesterday I was reminded how simple yet powerful the message "It's you I like." (click the link to hear Mr. Rogers sing it!!) Taking time to look at them and tell them how much I love them, every part about them, just the way they are is so essential.  It's not just for kids, sharing this message is as easy as smiling at anyone!

Share a deliberate smile today!

It's you I like, It's not the things you wear, It's not the way you do your hair-- But it's you I like. The way you are right now, The way down deep inside you-- Not the things that hide you, Not your toys-- They're just beside you. But it's you I like-- Every part of you, Your skin, your eyes, your feelings Whether old or new. I hope that you'll remember Even when you're feeling blue That it's you I like, It's you yourself, It's you, it's you I like.

It's You I Like By Fred M. Rogers © 1970